Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative to combat homelessness was strengthened today with another $500 million investment.
That amount had already been committed to municipalities with the highest demand in terms of homelessness. The total investment is $1 billion.
But today’s announcement was for the initiative’s Projects Stream.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says this stream is for Indigenous governing bodies and other organizations to do things like build modular housing and purchase land for rapid housing construction.
“Many folks have found themselves working from home,” he said. “And in cases where they’ve needed to self-isolate, most Canadians have been able to do so because they have a roof over their heads. But imagine if you didn’t have a home – especially during a Canadian winter. Sadly, that’s the reality for far too many Canadians and our government is taking action to change that.”
Trudeau stressed that the pandemic has made Canada’s housing needs more acute.
No Canadian should ever be without a place to call home. That’s why we’re launching the new Rapid Housing Initiative, which will help eliminate chronic homelessness in Canada. Tune in now for more: https://t.co/HgbPeoYnBR
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 27, 2020
To watch today’s full Federal government address, see below.
https://www.cpac.ca/en/direct/cpac2/514906/pm-trudeau-provides-update-on-federal-response-to-covid-19-26/